Real Madrid Survive Dortmund Scare
Real Madrid secured the final semi-final slot with a tense 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Los Blancos raced into an early lead thanks to first-half goals from Gonzalo Garcia and Fran Garcia. But the match turned dramatic late on.
Dortmund’s Maximilian Beier cut the deficit with a well-placed strike during extra time, giving the German side hope. However, Kylian Mbappé quickly restored Madrid’s two-goal cushion with a clinical finish.
Madrid were made to sweat when Dean Huijsen received a red card for a last-man foul, handing Dortmund a penalty that Serhou Guirassy converted to make it 3-2. But Carlo Ancelotti’s side held on to seal their place in the semi-finals.
PSG Beat Bayern Despite Finishing with Nine Men
Earlier in the day, Paris Saint-Germain booked their own semi-final berth with an impressive 2-0 victory over Bayern Munich.
Despite going down to nine players after two red cards, the French champions displayed remarkable discipline and defensive solidity. Goals in each half sealed the result, showing PSG’s readiness to compete at the highest level despite the adversity.
PSG’s reward is a mouth-watering clash with Real Madrid in the last four—a meeting between two of Europe’s biggest clubs, both filled with superstar talent and storied rivalry.
Chelsea and Fluminense Complete the Final Four
The other side of the bracket sees Chelsea taking on Fluminense in a Europe-versus-South America semi-final.
Chelsea edged Brazilian club Palmeiras 2-1 in their quarter-final tie, relying on experience and tactical control to see out the result.
Meanwhile, Fluminense saw off Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal to book their ticket to the semi-finals, continuing a strong showing by South American sides in the expanded tournament.
Fixtures and Kickoff Times
The semi-final ties promise high drama and will be played on consecutive nights next week:
- Fluminense vs Chelsea – Tuesday, 8 July at 8pm
- Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid – Wednesday, 9 July at 8pm
Both games are expected to draw global attention, with heavyweight clubs aiming to add a Club World Cup title to their trophy cabinets.
A Fitting Climax to an Expanded Tournament
This year’s Club World Cup marks an expanded format with more teams and greater global interest, delivering competitive and unpredictable matches so far.
As the semi-finals approach, fans are guaranteed quality football, star-studded lineups, and the promise of crowning a new world champion in just days.